Best Dispersed Camping near Boonville, NY

Dispersed camping opportunities exist throughout the public lands surrounding Boonville, New York, primarily within state forests and near local water bodies. The region features multiple primitive camping areas, including North Lake Reservoir Campground, Stillwater Reservoir, Sunday Lake, and Winona State Forest. Most sites are undeveloped with few or no amenities, offering true backcountry experiences. These areas typically allow tent camping and some accommodate small RVs at drive-in locations, though many sites require boat, hike-in, or walk-in access.

Many dispersed sites require travel on unpaved roads with varying conditions. Roads to Stillwater Reservoir include a "20 mile ride of just woods on a bumpy road," according to one camper. High-clearance vehicles may be necessary for accessing certain areas, particularly after rain. Most locations provide no drinking water, no electric hookups, and limited or no toilet facilities. While fires are permitted at several sites, some areas like Seventh Lake Primitive Camping prohibit fires. Cell service is extremely limited throughout the region, with one camper noting "zero Verizon cell service in the whole area" around Powley Road.

The dispersed campsites in this region provide quiet, secluded experiences in natural settings. Many sites feature waterfront access, particularly at Stillwater Reservoir where campers report the swimming is "fantastic with water clean and clear." The area attracts paddlers and anglers, with one visitor describing Stillwater as "an island paradise" where they "saw Bald Eagles and Loons, enjoyed swimming, canoeing and paddleboarding." Most sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis with no reservations. During peak seasons, competition for prime spots can increase, particularly at water-accessible sites. Winter conditions may limit accessibility to many areas, making seasonal planning essential for backcountry campers seeking these off-grid experiences.

Best Dispersed Sites Near Boonville, New York (10)

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Dispersed Camping Reviews near Boonville, NY

19 Reviews of 10 Boonville Campgrounds


  • Geoff W.
    Aug. 16, 2017

    Stillwater Reservoir

    Another great trip

    This was my 3rd trip to Stillwater in 3 yrs and it gets better each time!

    Our first trip was an overnight to test some backpacking gear, it was September and the weather was perfect! We hiked into our site, not easy because almost everything is meant to be accessed by boat so we were guessing our course! Cooler weather meant no bugs to contend with

    Next year we took a canoe to our site, it was July, warm weather, warm water and the bugs were not terrible, we were at Site 1, secluded in a cove, not a lot of traffic but there is a hiking trailhead near the site so there is potential for visitors.

    Our latest trip was to site 10, an island site with a large sandy beachfront, we borrowed a motor boat to get there this year and brought plenty of gear for 4 days. Weather was great again, some rain each day but we had time to get setup and get shelters to keep dry.

    Camping if free here but it is first come first serve but with 40+ sites you can almost always get something. There is a small store at the boat launch to get provisions if you need, public restrooms and wifi. Very limited cell service.

    You should bring water or something to filter it from the reservoir. I believe all the site have privy boxes on them.

    There are opportunities for fishing, a few local attractions, a nice restaurant at the launch.

  • Kevin C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 8, 2024

    Winona State Forest

    Small but quiet campsite

    Pulled in on a Thursday afternoon and found a single camp site. While there I talked to a state forest maintenance guy. He said there were currently two camping sites and that more might be added.

    The campsite was just feet off of Bargy Road. The only amenity was a fire ring made of rocks. The campsite appears to be the trailhead for a man-made trail.

    It rained while we were here but overall the campsite was quiet and peaceful.

  • Ashlee C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 28, 2024

    North Lake Reservoir Campground

    Beautiful spot!

    Very remote and secluded. We got there after dark and it was beautiful to wake up to the view of the lake. Car camped, but there was enough room for a tent. Fire pit at the site and a bathroom across the way from the first site.

  • J B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 28, 2023

    North Lake Reservoir Campground

    Pristine lake

    32 sites all around the lake. Some are walk in right on the lake. Quiet, peaceful, and clean. Make sure to take a left at the start of the lake, the right is all private road and you will have to turn around.

  • The L.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 4, 2025

    Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest

    Site 4

    Site 4 is magical, it is road side, but the view, and access to the river is great. There is a path right from the site. Occasionally you will get the yahoo that speeds by and makes a dust cloud but otherwise it’s great. There is zero Verizon cell service in the whole area. So plan accordingly,

  • Elizabeth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2020

    Blue Lagoon Primitive Dispersed Camping

    Dispersed camping on stillwater reservoir

    Primitive site on the beautiful south eastern end of Stillwater. A short hike in to a great beach for swimming or paddling.

    We’ve stayed here many times in tents and hammock tents. The swimming is fantastic- water is clean and clear.

    Because you can’t make a reservation here sometimes there’s competition for a spot. There is a good fire circle with space all around. The trail down to the beach is only about a hundred feet, but it is downhill.

    This site is close to the trailhead for the Stillwater firetower, an original Adirondack firetower.

  • Elizabeth B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 1, 2020

    Sunday Lake Dispersed Camping

    Primitive dispersed camping. 1/4 mile walk in, lovely quiet lake

    This is a small primitive site. No services, but a very beautiful spot. There’s a small fire ring, and access to the lake for swimming or fishing. 

    Sunday lake has always been lovely and quiet and a great place to take youth campers. 

    Take Stillwater rd. to McCarty road, the trail is 0.3 miles To Sunday lake. Space to park two cars or a small RV off the road.

  • Meghan B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 19, 2023

    Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest

    Powley Road

    Had a quiet and peaceful stay. Must camp at a numbered site. Most sites are right along the road, but I was lucky enough to snag one deeper in the woods. Some of the sites even have an outhouse. Stayed in October, so when I left early the next morning, I passed a lot of hunters that had camped along the road, too. The road is in good condition. No AT&T cell service in this area.

  • MARY B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jan. 22, 2021

    Seventh Lake Primitive Camping

    Canoe Camping at Its Best

    There are a few camping sites and one lean-to that I know of in this area. We happened upon it on our way to the seventh lake campground and ended up staying for two nights. We accessed the sites by water on a canoe trip. There is a large sand bar within a very short walk which was a great place to hang out. Seventh lake is pretty quiet but there were a few boats there both days we visited.  There is a trail that connects the campsites to Seventh Lake Rd. and to the Bug Lake trail and we had some Hikers travel through the campsite. If you are looking for the site from the water, look for a HUGE rock and there will be a sign that reads camp here, there are two more campsites, one with a lean-to within a short walk as well.


Guide to Boonville

Dispersed camping near Boonville, New York encompasses several state forests spanning the western Adirondack region and Tug Hill Plateau. The area sits at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 2,500 feet with seasonal temperature fluctuations between 10°F in winter and 75°F in summer. Primitive campsites typically require preparation for self-sufficient stays without amenities, though some designated sites include basic facilities like fire rings or pit toilets.

What to do

Paddle the waterways: North Lake Reservoir offers excellent paddling opportunities with sites accessible by water. "Very remote and secluded. We got there after dark and it was beautiful to wake up to the view of the lake," notes Ashlee C., who visited North Lake Reservoir Campground.

Hiking to campsites: Sunday Lake provides walk-in primitive camping options. Elizabeth B. shares, "This is a small primitive site. No services, but a very beautiful spot. There's a small fire ring, and access to the lake for swimming or fishing... Take Stillwater rd. to McCarty road, the trail is 0.3 miles To Sunday lake."

Wildlife observation: The forests around Winona State Forest attract diverse wildlife. The area provides quiet surroundings for nature watching, with Kevin C. reporting, "The campsite was just feet off of Bargy Road. The only amenity was a fire ring made of rocks... overall the campsite was quiet and peaceful."

What campers like

Island camping: Many appreciate the remote island sites on Stillwater Reservoir. Sam T. shares, "My wife and I kayaked to Long Island and stayed for a weekend. It was quiet and had the whole island to our self. Would recommend if you want to break away from technology because you get zero service out there."

Beach access: Several sites feature natural beaches. Elizabeth B. describes Blue Lagoon Primitive Dispersed Camping: "A short hike in to a great beach for swimming or paddling. We've stayed here many times in tents and hammock tents. The swimming is fantastic- water is clean and clear."

Solitude and quiet: The area provides genuine backcountry experiences away from crowds. Thomas E. who camped at Winona State Forest notes, "The primitive campsite was a little difficult to find there's a tiny black and yellow placard that shows you where you can camp... Overall a good free quiet place to camp."

What you should know

Navigation challenges: Finding unmarked sites can be difficult. Meghan B. who stayed at Powley Road in Ferris Wild Forest advises, "Must camp at a numbered site. Most sites are right along the road, but I was lucky enough to snag one deeper in the woods. Some of the sites even have an outhouse."

Weather preparedness: Conditions can change rapidly, particularly in shoulder seasons. Geoff W. reports from Stillwater Reservoir: "Our latest trip was to site 10, an island site with a large sandy beachfront... Weather was great again, some rain each day but we had time to get setup and get shelters to keep dry."

Connectivity limitations: Prepare to be completely disconnected. The Lusheys report from Powley Road, "There is zero Verizon cell service in the whole area. So plan accordingly."

Tips for camping with families

Choose accessible sites: Some sites are easier to reach with children. At North Lake Reservoir Campground, J B. suggests, "32 sites all around the lake. Some are walk in right on the lake. Quiet, peaceful, and clean. Make sure to take a left at the start of the lake, the right is all private road and you will have to turn around."

Island adventures: Kids enjoy the exploration aspects of island camping. Christie M. from Stillwater Reservoir shares, "just returned from our annual week at the reservoir, such beauty! We saw Bald Eagles and Loons, enjoyed swimming, canoing and paddleboarding with the family. It was so peaceful with our site #37 accomodating 20 members of the family plus 3 dogs!"

Water activities: Swimming and paddling opportunities abound. Mary B. who visited Seventh Lake Primitive Camping reports, "There is a large sand bar within a very short walk which was a great place to hang out. Seventh lake is pretty quiet but there were a few boats there both days we visited."

Tips from RVers

Limited RV options: Most dispersed sites cannot accommodate large rigs. Noah D. who visited Towsley Road Dispersed Camping notes, "nice place to sleep. good for someone who doesn't want something too off the road. when you get to the destination you have to go a little more up the road until you see a sign and a sand patch on the side of the road."

Drive-in accessibility: A few sites offer vehicle access. Sam T. reports about Stillwater Reservoir: "Was a great camp site very big and had a trail that lead down to the water. This campsite is right down the road from the fire tower trail."

Road conditions: Access roads vary considerably in quality. Dane P. who visited Stillwater Reservoir explains, "a 20 mile ride of just woods on a bumpy road. Pretty cool! Surprisingly the place wasn't that populated as I expected it to be. I went to a accessible campsite near the dam so I can pull stuff i needed from my car."

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Boonville, NY?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Boonville, NY is North Lake Reservoir Campground with a 5-star rating from 2 reviews.

What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Boonville, NY?

TheDyrt.com has all 10 dispersed camping locations near Boonville, NY, with real photos and reviews from campers.